Head section for elevating machinery



Nov. 18, 1952 E. RAHLSON I HEAD SECTION FOR ELEVATING MACHINERY Filed 001:. 25, 1950 Jzwe 222w" 2%??? fiFaZzZion F 6 I C/Dy 7 2 202723? Patented Nov. 18, 1952 HEAD SECTION FOR ELEVATING MACHINERY Erich Rahlson, Des Moines, Iowa Application October 25, 1950, Serial No. 191,980

9 Claims.

My invention relates to a head section for elevating machinery of the type used for moving grain or the like and more particularly to such a section on what is known as a bucket type elevator.

In the bucket type elevating machinery a plurality of spaced apart buckets secured to an endless belt travel upwardly on one side of the belt and downwardly on the other side thereof. Generally the belt is enclosed by a housing known as a leg and frequently a separate leg is provided for each side of the belt and is then referred to as the up leg and down leg respectively. Such leg construction is common but is not essential to my invention. The belt moves on pulleys located respectively at the top and bottom portions of the elevator and are suitably mounted on shafts therein. Also at the top of the elevator a motor is suitably mounted and is connected to a head shaft by any suitable means such as sprockets and roller chain. By changing the size of the sprockets, the movement of the buckets can, of course, .be accelerated or diminished.

Very frequently two series of buckets are used and they are mounted adjacent each other and powered from dual pulleys on one shaft.

A head section containing a hood or cover portion is usually required for this machinery at the top of the elevator in order to protect it from deterioration from the elements and also to confine the material being moved within its intended course. Such a head section embraces the subject of my invention. This head section must be removable either in whole or part so that access to the machinery enclosed thereby can be gained for purposes of repairs, adjustment and maintenance. Also it must be weather-tight especially on installations located in the open. In the present state of the art such head section assemblies usually consist of a bottom portion designed to be secured to the top of the leg or legs and an elongated inverted half shelllike top member that consists of two complementary sections detachably secured together on a line transversely its longitudinal axis on the top and with the respective adjacent side portions being at substantially right angles to the horizontal. This top member is mounted over the machinery and has a flange extending about its edges that engages a flange on the bottom section and is secured thereto by bolts or the like. In this position the joint between the two top sections extends above and substantially parallel to the head shaft along its top, andperpendicular thereto at the sides so that the head section when mounted encloses all the machinery except the respective end portions of the head shaft. To make the joint between the top sections as water tight as possible, gasket, caulking compound or the like is usually secured between the adjacent flanges thereon. On the respective protruding head shaft ends there is mounted the sprocket drive and pulley wheel and these are protected by individual shields that engage but are not secured to the sides of the two top sections. To gain access to the machinery under the head section, the top members must be separated by removing their securing bolts and at least one of these members removed. Experience has demonstrated that this type of head section described is not Water-tight or weathertight and that no matter how tightly joined the top sections may be, the water-proofing'elements used inevitably deteriorate from exposure and eventually water will find its way into the machinery. The shields for the respective head shaft end portions cannot be rigidly secured to the top sections because of the section joint on the sides and therefore must be removable, when the top sections are separated.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a head section for an elevating machinery for free flowin materials which comprises a bottom section secured to the top of and communicating with said elevatin machinery, a receiving chamber portion associated with said bottom section and a multiple section inverted shell-like hood secured to the bottom portion and designed so that the respective side portions engage each other and are detachably se provide a head section of the above classes having a shield for the respective end portions of the head shaft rigidly secured to opposit sides of one of the top sections that comprise the hood cover.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a hood having the above described characteristics on which there is provided a water runoff shield extendin downwardly and outwardly from all sides of the bottom section assembly.

A further object of this invention is to mount .tion of a pair of elevator legs.

my head section so that the bottom of the hood portion thereof overlaps a vertical flange frame at the top of the bottom section and thereby further increases the efliciency of the head section with respect to being weather and watertight at that point.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, .arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my hood mounted on the head of a pair of elevator legs and ready for use,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of this device taken on the line 22 of Fig. .1

Fig. 3 is a top view of the device shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of this hood taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of this device taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, I have used the numerals i8 and II to designate the upper por- The two leg construction is preferably shown to illustrate my invention although my device .is not necessarily v confined to such construction. Normally a series of buckets on an endless belt will be moving up the leg IQ and down the leg II so that grain carried by the up side of the buckets will be .dis charged as the bucket moves over the head pulley toward the down leg. The shaft for the head pulley is obviouslyalso located in the head section and on one end of this shaft will be found a sprocket chain drive or the like connected to a source of power such as an electric motor. My invention resides in the construction of a head section'for this operating machinery located at the top of the elevator legs.

The'bottom portion of my head section comprises the open top box-like portion I2 that is mounted at the top of the legs Ill and I I transversely their length and communicates with each leg and the open top and bottom receiving chamber portion I3. As indicated previously the two leg construction has been used merely for illustration and the intent and purpose of my inventionis accomplished by locating the bottom portion of my head section at the top of the belt so that this bottom portion is in communication with each respective side thereof. 7 The chamber I3 may be integral with the portion I2 or a sep- .arate' part secured thereto. Preferably I make it integral to reduce the costs of construction. While not material to my invention it is pointed out that the bottom of the portion I2 extending between the legs I!) and II is preferably of inverted V-construction to form bafiies that direct grain prematurely spilling from the buckets into either the up leg or down leg and thereby prevents an accumulation thereof which would occur if the bottom of the portion I2 were fiat. A rectangular frame flange It, preferably of angle iron is secured adjacent but not at the top of the member I2 and extends forwardly and rearwardly thereof as shown in Fig. 1. This frame It is preferably welded to the portion I2 so as to become integral therewith and thereby forms a flange or ledge for supporting the top portions. of my head section which I will later describe. Alike fram portion I5 is provided on the S des and bottom of the portion I 2 as shown in Fig. 1. This arrangement permits the upper marginal edge portion 25 of the bottom section to extend upwardly from the flange It as shown in Fig. 4. For purposes of illustration my drawings show an arrangement at an elevator head where the motor is mounted adjacent the top of the member I2. For this purpose suitable supports are secured between the rear sides of the frame I4, and a box cover It for the motor is bolted at the rear of the frame It as illustrated. The position of the motor is not pertinent to my invention, however, and it may be mounted below the member I2 between the legs I0 and I I or at any other suitable place.

The top of my hood comprises the two complementary sections II and I8 which form the inverted shell-like cover preferably having an arcuate top and flat sides as shown in Fig. 1. This hood is preferably made from metal, making it rather bulky to handle and therefore is made in two sections to facilitate its removal when access to the covered machinery is desired. No invention is claimed for such .a two-section hood covering, but only for the manner in which they are .joined for producing a weather tight and waterproof covering. The respective sides of the sections I7 and I8 of which only one is shown, are formed on a diagonal asshown in Fig. 1. By this arrangement the shields I9 and 20 can be rigidly secured to the opposite sides of the section H. The purpose of these shields is to cover and protect the end portions of the head shaft ZI which protrude from each side of this hood and the journal hearings in which they are mounted. Preferably these shields are welded to the section I] and consequently form a waterproof covering and becauseof the diagonal edges on the sections I l and I8 they are not interfered with when these sections are separated. Across the top and along the sides of the section II I provide the flange 22 and similarly on the section I8 I provide the flange cover 23 that-engages the flange 23 and then is bent rearwardly as illustrated so that the bent portion 24 engages and. extends over and past the terminal edge of the flange 22 on three sides as illustrated. "This gives the overlapping arrangement shown in Fig. 5 and this feature together with the slanted surface of the flange cover 23 provides a weather tight joint and a water run-01f means. The two sections I! and 18 .are mounted as shown in Fig. .1 and are detachably secured to the frame I5 by belts or the like 25. For this purpose the bottom edge flanges 39 are provided on the sections I-'! and I8 as illustrated. Also a bolt may be placed at any point along the sides or top between the adjacent flanges if desired. It is also pointed out, that the section I8 may be hingably secured to the frame-like flange 14 at the end 26 so that it may be raised instead of removed at times.

If a hinge means is employed, some type of catch or stop .bar can be provided to hold this section in raised position. In mounting the top sections I1 and .18 to the bottom portions I2 and E3 the bottom of the top sections overlap the 'top marginal edge portion 25 as shown in Fig. .4, which is further protection against water or the like reaching the enclosed machinery through this point.

The bottom of the receivingchamber L3 is de signed to have a transition piece 27 .detachably secured thereto-that communicates with the chute 28. A rain shield 29 extends downwardly from all exposed sides of the bottom section I2 and reping flanges on the members ll and [8 are water- I proof and require no lining, gasket or the like between them. The angle of slope of the adjacent side flanges on these two members serves as a water run-off means as does the rain shield 29 for the joint between the receiving chamber [3 and the transition piece and water is further kept from the interior of this head section by the overlapping of the hood and bottom section at the point 28 as hereinbefore described.

The effect of this head section construction is to eliminate the need for gaskets. caulking compound or the like for the removable hood sections and at the point where the bottom section is mounted to the elevator legs. These waterproofing elements are not only eliminated with out loss of their function but this head section as constructed is more efficient as a water and weather-tight device, is more economical to maintain and easier to manipulate.

It is pointed out that while I preferably show but two hood sections H and [8, that in large installations, more than two hood sections may be employed with such additional sections being arranged according to the construction here described. Such a multiple section arrangement, of course, facilitates the removal of the hoods on large installations. It is highly important that rain and the like be kept out of the head section area on grain elevators as well as out of the grain that is spilled into the receiving chamber and my device is designed to provide that protection.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my head section for elevating machinery without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

Iclaim:

1 In a watertight covering for the top of an elevator for moving free flowing materials, a twosection inverted shell-like hood designed to be detachably secured at the top of said elevator so as to form a closure thereat; said two sections being complementary to each other to form said hood and having engaging edges extending on a horizontal plane at their respective tops and on a diagonal at their respective sides, each of said hood sections having a flange extending upwardly across its top edge and outwardly along its side edge whereby said respective flanges engage each other, and the flanged edge on one of said hood sections is further bent to extend across and downwardly beyond the adjacent flange from the other hood section along the top and sides thereof, and said hood sections detachably secured together.

2. In a head section for elevating machinery used for moving free flowing materials, said head section comprising, an open top and bottom boxlike bottom portion designed to be secured to the top of said elevating machinery, a two-section hood detachably mounted on and overlapping the top of said bottom section along the top and sides thereof to provide an enclosed area thereat; said hood sections having engaging edges on a horizontal plane at their top and on a diagonal at their sides, each of said hood sections having a flange extending upwardly across its top edge and outwardly along its side edge whereby said respective flanges engage each other, and the flanged edge on one of said hood sections is further bent to extend across and beyond the adjacent flange from the other hood section, and said hood sections detachably secured together.

3. In a head section for elevating machinery used for moving free flowing materials, said head section comprising, an open top and bottom boxlike bottom portion designed to be secured to the top of said elevating machinery, a two section hood detachably mounted on said bottom section so that the bottom end portion of said hood overlaps the top edge portion of said box-like bottom portion, a water run-01f shield extending downwardly from said bottom portion and designed to overlap the point of communication between said bottom portion and said elevator; said hood sections having engaging edges on a horizontal plane at their top and on a diagonal at their sides, each of said hood sections having a flange extending upwardly across its top edge and outwardly along its side edge whereby said respective flanges engage each other, and the flanged edge on one of said hood sections is further bent to extend across and downwardly beyond the adjacent flange from the other hood section along the top and sides thereof, and said hood sections detachably secured together.

4. In a head section for elevating machinery used for moving free flowing materials, said head section comprising, a box-like bottom portion designed to be secured to the top of said elevating machinery and in communication therewith and projecting therefrom on one side to form a receiving chamber; said receiving chamber designed to communicate with a chute for delivering material to a point of deposit, a two section hood detachably mounted on said bottom portion so that its bottom edge portion overlaps the top edge portion of said box-like bottom portion, a water run-cit shield extending downwardly from all outer sides of said bottom portion and said receiving chamber and designed to overlap the respective points of communication between said bottom portion and said elevator and said re-- ceiving chamber and said chute, said hood sections ha ing engaging edges extending on a horizontal plane at their respective tops and on a" diagcnal at their respective sides, each of said hood sections having a flange extending upwardly across its top edge and outwardly along its side edge whereby said respective flanges engage each other, and the flanged edge on one of said hood sections is further bent to extend across and beyond the adjacent flange from the other hood section, and said hood sections detachably secured together.

5. In a head section for elevating machinery used for moving free flowing materials, said head section comprising, a box-like bottom portion designed to be secured to the top of said elevating machinery and in communication therewith and projecting therefrom on one side to form a receiving chamber; said receiving chamber designed to communicate with a chute for delivering material to a point of deposit, a two section hood detachably mounted on said bottom portion so that its bottom edge portion overlaps the top edge portion of said box-like bottom portion, a water .run-ofl" shield extending downwardly from all outer sides of said bottom portion and said receiving chamber and designed to overlap the respective points of communication between said bottom portion and said elevator and said receiving chamber and said chute, said hood sections having engaging edges extending on a horizontal plane at their respective tops and on a diagonal at their respective sides, each of said hood sections having a flange extending upwardly across its top edge and outwardly along its side edge whereby said respective flanges engage each other, and the flanged edge on one of said hood sections is further bent to extend across and downwardly beyond the adjacent flange from the other hood section along the top and sides thereof, andsaid hood sections detachably. secured together.

'6. vA device as defined in claim characterized by an enclosed shield member rigidly secured at each side of one of said hood sections; said shield member designed to provide water-tight non-removable enclosures for projecting shaft ends of the elevating machinery and any mechanism mounted thereon.

7. In a watertight covering for the top of an elevator for moving free flowing materials, a, twosection inverted shell-like hood designed to be detachably secured at the top of said elevator so as to form a closure thereat; said two sections being complementary to each other to form said hood and having engaging edges extending on a horizontal plane at their respective tops and on a diagonal at their respective sides, each of said hood sections having a flange extending upwardly across its top edge and outwardly along its side edge whereby said respective flanges engage each other, and the flanged edge on one of said hood sections is further bent to extend across and downwardly beyond the adjacent flange from the other hood section along the top and sides thereof, an enclosed shield on one hood section rigidly secured at each side of one of said hood sections; said shield member designed to provide watertight non-removable enclosures for projecting shaft ends of the elevating machinery and any mechanism mounted thereon, and said hood sections detachably secured together.

8. In a head section for elevating machinery usedzfor moving free flowing materials, said head section comprising, an open top and bottom boxlike bottom portion designed to be secured to the top of said elevating machinery, a two section hood detachably mounted on and overlapping the top of said bottom section to provide an enclosed area thereat; said hood sections having engagmembers designed to provide watertight nonremovable enclosures for projecting shaft ends of the elevating machinery and any mechanism mounted thereon, and said hood sections detachably secured together.

9. In a head section for elevating machinery used formoving free flowing materials, said head sectioncomprising, an open top'and bottom boxlike bottom portion designed to be secured to the top of said elevating machinery, a two section hood detachably mounted on said bottom section so that the bottom end portion of said hood overlaps the top edgeportion of said box-like bottom portion, a water run-off shield extending downwardly from said bottom portion and designed to overlap the point of communication between said bottom portion and said elevator; said hood sections having engaging edges on a horizontal plane at their top and on a diagonal at their sides, .each of said hood sections having a flange extending upwardly across its top edge and outwardly along its side edge whereby said respective flanges engage each other, and the flanged edge on one of said hood sections is further bent to extend across and downwardly beyond the adjacent flange from the other hood section along the top and sides thereof, an enclosed shield member rigidly secured at each side of one of said hood sections; said shield members designed to provide watertight non-removable enclosures ,for projecting machinery and any mechanism mounted thereon, and said hood sections detachably secured to gether.

ERICH RAHLSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 782,642 Bradford Feb. 14 1905 945,439 Beidler Jan. 4, 1910 969,036 Campfield Aug. 30, 1910 1,366,103 Sturtev-ant Jan. 18, 1921 1,442,172 Nelson Jan. 16, 1923 1,596,862 Aikens Aug. 24, 1926 1,641,366 Aikens Sept. 6, 1927 1,653,975 Winter Dec. '27, 1927 

